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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2 to 26 of 26. Go back in thread:
Posted by Minnie-Haha on January 25, 2005, at 18:07:39
In reply to Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Chriscl on January 25, 2005, at 15:49:04
> Has anyone else experienced weight gain with Cymbalta?
I've been on it about 6 weeks now and I've gained 1-2 pounds. I think my response is atypical based on what I've read so far. I think the reason I've gained a little weight is because it's done such a good job (to-date anyway) of relieving my anxiety that I'm not nauseated all the time, like I was for 15 months before I started it! This seems atypical, too, as others report that Cymbalta has caused nausea. (And therefore they've lost weight, right?)
I have depression, too, which the Cymbalta is helping. The main complaint I have so far is a sort of "flat" feeling -- apathy? or amotivation? -- so I may end up augmenting with Wellbutrin. (Oh, the Cymbalta is also relieving some of my neck and back/shoulder pain.)
Posted by Chriscl on January 25, 2005, at 18:21:19
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Minnie-Haha on January 25, 2005, at 18:07:39
Hi Minnie-haha,
Thanks for replying. My doc has most of her patients taking Cymbalta during the morning. I too was nauceas taking it in the morning and switched to the night time. Since taking it at night before bedtime, no more feeling of nauceas. I wonder if taking it at night could cause my weight gain?? (thinking out loud....).
Chris
Posted by Maxime on January 25, 2005, at 19:17:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain » Minnie-Haha, posted by Chriscl on January 25, 2005, at 18:21:19
Isn't Cymbalta a mixture of prozac and zyprexa? Because if that is the case then it would be the zyprexa portion of the meds that is causing the weight gain.
Maxime
Posted by saw on January 26, 2005, at 1:09:29
In reply to Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Chriscl on January 25, 2005, at 15:49:04
Hi Chris
I gained nasty amounts of weight on Effexor and Lamictal in a short space of time. I have been on Cymbalta 60mg for exactly a month now and while I have yet to lose weight despite a controlled diet and excercise, I can at least say I have not gained any more during this last month.
I am fortunate that I am having almost no side effects from Cymbalata, however I must take it at night as I find it very sedating. It does have a tendency to make me feel "flat" and "deflated".
Just like a pregnant mom in the first trimester, I will wait for the 6 weeks to be up before I get my hopes up too high.
I can't see the time of day that you take it as being a weight gain cause rather than just the drug itself.
I find it so very frustrating that when these drugs do help our depression, we have to stop them because of weight gain and other side effects that cannot be lived with.
I hope you are well.
Sabrina
Posted by partlycloudy on January 26, 2005, at 8:02:47
In reply to Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Chriscl on January 25, 2005, at 15:49:04
I'm gaining weight on 90mgs of Cymbalta, also taken at night. I attribute some of the gain to having stopped Wellbutrin when I tapered off from Effexor to go on to Cymbalta. I am starting to experience higher blood pressure at this dose (just like when I went higher on Effexor). Darn it! I like this med - it really seems to be helping. Maybe a beta-blocker could do a double whammy in keeping my BP down and also my anxiety... I am determined to find the right balance here.
Posted by ed_uk on January 26, 2005, at 14:54:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Maxime on January 25, 2005, at 19:17:27
Hello,
>Isn't Cymbalta a mixture of prozac and zyprexa?
No, that's Symbyax.
Ed.
Posted by Maxime on January 26, 2005, at 22:27:32
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain » Maxime, posted by ed_uk on January 26, 2005, at 14:54:40
Oh, thanks. So many start to sound the same after a while (blush).
Maxime
> Hello,
>
> >Isn't Cymbalta a mixture of prozac and zyprexa?
>
> No, that's Symbyax.
>
> Ed.
Posted by Racer on January 27, 2005, at 16:35:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain » Chriscl, posted by partlycloudy on January 26, 2005, at 8:02:47
I didn't want to hear that people were gaining weight on Cymbalta! WAAAHHHHH!!!!
I've been gaining weight, too, after taking Cymbalta since late August -- about six months -- and have recently begun to believe that it's related to the Cymbalta. It's hard to know, in my case, because I'm *supposed* to be gaining weight, but I don't see that I've been eating so much more than before as to explain all this gain.
Guess I was expecting this, but shucks! Hate it anyway...
Posted by Minnie-Haha on January 28, 2005, at 10:20:45
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Racer on January 27, 2005, at 16:35:30
As I said in a previous post, weight gain seems to be atypical on Cymbalta. I think for me (and it's only been a couple of pounds) it's been because the Cymbalta helped so much with my anxiety... which was causing me to feel nauseated most all the time... which was making it hard for me to eat much. Now that the anxiety is mostly gone, I have an appetite back.
Posted by Chriscl on January 28, 2005, at 14:30:14
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Racer on January 27, 2005, at 16:35:30
I was picking up a prescription and asked the local pharmacist on my weight struggles with Lamictal/Cymbalta and she suggested I talk to my doc regarding a fat blocking medication called Xenecal. Has anyone tried this in combination w/ antidepressents to combat weight gain?
Here's some info. I tried first at WebMD.com and ironically didn't have anything.
http://www.verngosdin.net/xenical/xenecal/xenecal.html
Regards,
Chris
Posted by Racer on January 28, 2005, at 16:20:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Chriscl on January 28, 2005, at 14:30:14
Xenical is a fat absorption blocker. The side effects include such things as fecal incontinence, oily stool, intestinal discomfort, etc. And it still has to be combined with a weight reduction diet.
For what it's worth, you can get good information about meds at medlineplus.com -- the NIH site; rxlist.com, pdr.net, etc. The information you get at any of those sites is likely to be more complete than what webmd has.
Have you talked to your doctor about it? That's the first step, because in general, you want to try to avoid taking one drug to counter the side effects of another.
Good luck.
Posted by chaaya on January 31, 2005, at 2:24:35
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Chriscl on January 28, 2005, at 14:30:14
Chriscl
What weight problem are you having (losing or gaining). I was on lamictal/cymbalta for a short while. The cymbalta made me nauseous and suppressed my appetite. I lost about 10 lbs in 3 weeks. I didn't have any other problems with it.
Posted by caraher on February 1, 2005, at 19:58:41
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by chaaya on January 31, 2005, at 2:24:35
I've been taking Cymbalta since early November (now at 90 mg/day) with no weight change
Posted by redscarlet on February 3, 2005, at 9:14:18
In reply to Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Chriscl on January 25, 2005, at 15:49:04
I've gone back to Wellbutrin after gaining 5 lbs in three weeks on Cymbalta !
Posted by MissPriss on February 14, 2005, at 10:18:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain » Chriscl, posted by Racer on January 28, 2005, at 16:20:02
I have been on Cymbalta since September and have experienced steady weight gain. I take 30 mg, but I do take it at night because taking it during the day made me nauseous. I have not increased the amount I eat or lessened my physical activity. As a matter of fact, for the past month and a half, I have tried to diet and exercise more than usual, and the weight gain has not stopped. I am going to the doctor next week to see what he suggests - will keep you posted.
Posted by saw on February 16, 2005, at 5:17:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by MissPriss on February 14, 2005, at 10:18:09
Sounds just like me. My weight gain started with Effexor, continued with lamictal, topomax didn't help and now that I have been taking Cymbalta for 6 weeks, still gaining. I take mine at night too (60mg) but only because I find it sedating during the day. Not that it helps me to sleep at night though.
I would be interested to know what your doctor says.Sabrina
Posted by gromit on February 19, 2005, at 1:37:56
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Minnie-Haha on January 25, 2005, at 18:07:39
After one week on Cymbalta I have apparently lost 6 lbs! I haven't been eating less, at least I haven't noticed if I am, and my activity level is actually down since it makes me sleepy. Go figure...
Posted by lois on February 19, 2005, at 19:13:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by gromit on February 19, 2005, at 1:37:56
I am just starting Cymbalta. Is it helping your depression yet? Please keep me updated. Thanks.
Posted by gromit on February 20, 2005, at 13:35:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain » gromit, posted by lois on February 19, 2005, at 19:13:21
I wish I could say yes but the only thing I've noticed is sleepiness and loss of sexual function. It's only been a week though so I don't really expect alot at this point. Hoping that it works for you.
Rick
Posted by Aniadouble on March 3, 2005, at 10:45:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain » lois, posted by gromit on February 20, 2005, at 13:35:23
Hi Everybody,
I'm new to this thread, but I'm taking Cymbalta and I've been reading all the posts.
I'm on 60mg for 10 weeks or so and I can't say that I'm very impresses with it.
I too seemed to have gained weight and still feel sleepy and unmotivated. My depression has NOT gotten any better either.
I switched from Zoloft 150mg and Welbutrin 300mg.
I was hoping that Cymbalta would do the job of the two, but no such luck (the Zoloft & Welbutrin were stating to poop out on me; that happens a lot)
Posted by Lisa5 on March 3, 2005, at 12:23:15
In reply to Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Chriscl on January 25, 2005, at 15:49:04
I don't know what is causing the weight gain.. the Lamictal or the Cymbalta. I am also taking Topamax and at first lost 13 pounds but have gained 9 of it back since upping the Lamictal and Cymbalta so I don't know which is the culprit. Any ideas?? I am on 60MG of the Cymbalta, 100MG Lamictal, 200 MG Topamax. Zoloft made me gain 60 pounds. Wellbutrin turned me into a suidicdal zombie. Prozac worked for a while than stopped. It's been a long hard road...I cry with all of you!!!
Posted by Lisa5 on March 3, 2005, at 12:27:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Aniadouble on March 3, 2005, at 10:45:06
Hi,
You say you will be on 60 for 10 weeks..how long have you been on already? Cymbalta so far has done wonders for me!!!! I have tried EVERYTHING in the past. Just give it time, hopefully it will work for you too. What is your actual diagnosis? I am actually Bipolar. Lisa
Posted by Lisa5 on March 3, 2005, at 12:32:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Aniadouble on March 3, 2005, at 10:45:06
Hi,
You say you will be on 60 for 10 weeks..how long have you been on already? Cymbalta so far has done wonders for me!!!! I have tried EVERYTHING in the past. Just give it time, hopefully it will work for you too. What is your actual diagnosis? I am actually Bipolar. Lisa
>
>
Posted by Aniadouble on March 3, 2005, at 12:59:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain » Aniadouble, posted by Lisa5 on March 3, 2005, at 12:32:24
I've had depression all my life (I'm 37). Its low-grade with bouts of major. Been suicital few times. I also have Borderline Perosanlity Disorder traits. Been on meds for over 15 years. I've tried many different ones. They seem to work for a while, but then poop-out!.
I just switched to Cymbalta 60 mg about 10 weeks ego from Zoloft 150mg & Welbutrin XL 300 because they stopped working.
So far I think that the ZF & WB were working better than Cymbalta.Do you know if its safe to add Welbutrin to Cymbalta?
Posted by Lisa5 on March 3, 2005, at 14:57:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs. weight gain, posted by Aniadouble on March 3, 2005, at 12:59:39
I will be 37 in April. I have been on meds for 13 years. 10 weeks seems long enough to notice a change with the Cymbalta. I have had great luck with it. I'm not sure if you can add the Welbutrin with the Cymbalta. Ask you Doc, maybe that will do the trick! Don't give up!
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